South Africa and the Aftermath of Portugal's ‘Exemplary’ Decolonization: The Security Dimension

Robert McNamara

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Abstract

The Portuguese Revolution of 1974–75 had a profound impact on southern Africa, forcing the government of John Vorster to re-evaluate South Africa's diplomatic and strategic options. But because events in Lisbon — as well as in Mozambique and Angola — evolved slowly, an overconfident Pretoria found itself unable to read the situation clearly. In this it was hampered by interagency power struggles, as well as its relationship with Rhodesia. Generally cautious towards Mozambique, South Africa was rather more reckless in its involvement in Angola. This resulted in an embarrassing diplomatic defeat which revealed the emptiness of its proposed policy of détente, as well as of hopes of a new understanding with the United States.
LanguageEnglish
Pages227-250
JournalPortuguese Studies
Volume29
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 30 Sep 2013

Fingerprint

Angola
decolonization
Mozambique
Portugal
policy of détente
power struggle
Southern Africa
Zimbabwe
event

Cite this

McNamara, Robert. / South Africa and the Aftermath of Portugal's ‘Exemplary’ Decolonization: The Security Dimension. In: Portuguese Studies. 2013 ; Vol. 29, No. 2. pp. 227-250.
@article{bad27f6490d842a293d13551abc31d57,
title = "South Africa and the Aftermath of Portugal's ‘Exemplary’ Decolonization: The Security Dimension",
abstract = "The Portuguese Revolution of 1974–75 had a profound impact on southern Africa, forcing the government of John Vorster to re-evaluate South Africa's diplomatic and strategic options. But because events in Lisbon — as well as in Mozambique and Angola — evolved slowly, an overconfident Pretoria found itself unable to read the situation clearly. In this it was hampered by interagency power struggles, as well as its relationship with Rhodesia. Generally cautious towards Mozambique, South Africa was rather more reckless in its involvement in Angola. This resulted in an embarrassing diplomatic defeat which revealed the emptiness of its proposed policy of d{\'e}tente, as well as of hopes of a new understanding with the United States.",
author = "Robert McNamara",
year = "2013",
month = "9",
day = "30",
language = "English",
volume = "29",
pages = "227--250",
journal = "Portuguese Studies",
issn = "0267-5315",
number = "2",

}

McNamara, R 2013, 'South Africa and the Aftermath of Portugal's ‘Exemplary’ Decolonization: The Security Dimension', Portuguese Studies, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 227-250.

South Africa and the Aftermath of Portugal's ‘Exemplary’ Decolonization: The Security Dimension. / McNamara, Robert.

In: Portuguese Studies, Vol. 29, No. 2, 30.09.2013, p. 227-250.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

TY - JOUR

T1 - South Africa and the Aftermath of Portugal's ‘Exemplary’ Decolonization: The Security Dimension

AU - McNamara, Robert

PY - 2013/9/30

Y1 - 2013/9/30

N2 - The Portuguese Revolution of 1974–75 had a profound impact on southern Africa, forcing the government of John Vorster to re-evaluate South Africa's diplomatic and strategic options. But because events in Lisbon — as well as in Mozambique and Angola — evolved slowly, an overconfident Pretoria found itself unable to read the situation clearly. In this it was hampered by interagency power struggles, as well as its relationship with Rhodesia. Generally cautious towards Mozambique, South Africa was rather more reckless in its involvement in Angola. This resulted in an embarrassing diplomatic defeat which revealed the emptiness of its proposed policy of détente, as well as of hopes of a new understanding with the United States.

AB - The Portuguese Revolution of 1974–75 had a profound impact on southern Africa, forcing the government of John Vorster to re-evaluate South Africa's diplomatic and strategic options. But because events in Lisbon — as well as in Mozambique and Angola — evolved slowly, an overconfident Pretoria found itself unable to read the situation clearly. In this it was hampered by interagency power struggles, as well as its relationship with Rhodesia. Generally cautious towards Mozambique, South Africa was rather more reckless in its involvement in Angola. This resulted in an embarrassing diplomatic defeat which revealed the emptiness of its proposed policy of détente, as well as of hopes of a new understanding with the United States.

M3 - Article

VL - 29

SP - 227

EP - 250

JO - Portuguese Studies

T2 - Portuguese Studies

JF - Portuguese Studies

SN - 0267-5315

IS - 2

ER -

McNamara R. South Africa and the Aftermath of Portugal's ‘Exemplary’ Decolonization: The Security Dimension. Portuguese Studies. 2013 Sep 30;29(2):227-250.

Access to Document